Ultrasonic device for the treatment of hair and other fibers

ABSTRACT

An ultrasonic device for the treatment of hair and other fibers. The device generally includes an applicator, capable of coupling a topically efficacious frequency to fibers, and an insulator, capable of preventing acoustic coupling of the topically efficacious frequency to a surface supporting the fibers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is in the field of ultrasonic devices for thetreatment of hair and other fibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Devices that utilize ultrasonic mechanical vibrations are wellknown in the art. The treatment of natural and synthetic fibers toproduce, alter, or remove a set in a fiber, has been the subject ofprior work. For example, chemical agents are sometimes used, with orwithout heat, to produce a set in a fiber or for the removal of anexisting fiber set. However, these methods are slow, laborious,ineffective, not topically efficacious, and the chemical agents used canultimately damage the fibers being treated.

[0003] Piezoelectric devices generally produce ultrasonic mechanicalvibrations. Piezoelectric devices, which convert electrical impulsesinto mechanical vibrations, are generally based on the fact that certaincrystals, when subjected to an applied electrical potential to produce apressure, will yield a mechanical motion. Resonant crystals and ceramicsare used to generate such mechanical waves in solids and liquids. Forhigh frequency, ultra-sonic vibrations to be generated, crystals oftenoperate in their thickness mode, where the crystal becomes alternatinglythicker and thinner as it vibrates. However, crystals can also operatein shear and bending modes.

[0004] Imai, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,236, discloses a hair curlingapplicator utilizing longitudinal modes of vibration. Imai requires auser to manually wind hair around a hollow barrel. The hollow barreloscillates longitudinally causing the wrapped hair to absorb ultrasonicenergy in a shear, or transverse, mode. Wrapping hair around the barrelis not convenient, especially if the hair has an applied treatment onit. Additionally, the user must wrap different portions of the treatmentarea sequentially, resulting in an inefficient use of time. Finally,safety is a concern, as the end of the vibrating barrel is not preventedfrom touching tissue. Such contact can cause sonic, tissue burns. Itwould be typical that direct, physical contact or presence of anultrasonic device with tissue could cause absorption bums, heatproduction burns and frictional burns. If the ultrasonic device has goodacoustic coupling, it is possible to actually cause cavitation to occurinside tissue.

[0005] Shiginori, Japanese Publication JP 9-262120, teaches a hairdrying, bleaching, and weaving device that also requires winding hairaround a vibrating body. The presence of protruding vibrating bodiesallows for an increase in treatment area, however, this teaching alsorequires wrapping hair around the vibrating body. Additionally, theprotruding vibrating bodies do not provide uniform vibration as theprotrusions at the end farthest from the generator deflect more thanthose closer to the generator. This limits the number of protrusions inorder to maintain uniform motion. Finally, safety is problematic as theend of the vibrating body is not protected thus, the user couldexperience ultrasonic tissue burning.

[0006] Shigihara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,789 discloses a device for thepermanent curling of hair. The user winds hair along a rod portion,where presumably longitudinal vibrations impart energy to the hairthrough frictional forces causing curling to occur. Again, wrapping hairaround a rod portion is not convenient, especially if the hair has anapplied treatment on it. Additionally, the user must wrap differentportions sequentially, resulting in an inefficient time usage. Again,safety is a concern, as the end of the rod portion is not prevented fromcontact with tissue.

[0007] Goble, U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,159 discloses a hair treatment devicethat uses radial modes of vibration. This teaching does not require thewrapping of hair in order to provide treatment, however, multipletreatments are required in order to treat a large volume of hair.Additionally, safety is a large concern as a transducer that uses radialvibration modes can contact tissue and cause damage along the entirelength of the transducer, and not just from the end as would happen froma transducer using longitudinal modes of vibration.

[0008] Therefore, it would be an improvement in the art to be able toprovide a novel device that provides a treatment for a fiber,particularly hair, using a less reactive chemical agent, yet stillprovide a faster, less labor intensive, and more topically efficacioustreatment experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is a comb assembly for fibers comprising anapplicator and an insulator. The applicator is capable of coupling atopically efficacious frequency to the fibers when the fibers are incommunication with the applicator. The insulator prevents acousticcoupling of the topically efficacious frequency to a surface supportingthe fibers.

[0010] Further, the invention is a fiber treatment device comprising ahousing, at least one ultrasonic generator fixably mounted to thehousing, and at least one comb device removeably attached to the housingand cooperatively associated with the ultrasonic generator forcontacting engagement with at least one surface of the ultrasonicgenerator. At least one fiber is positioned proximate to the ultrasonicgenerator when the ultrasonic generator is energized to a topicallyefficacious frequency. At least one product is dispensed to the at leastone fiber and the topically efficacious frequency efficaciously depositsthe at least one product to the at least one fiber.

[0011] Additionally, the invention is a fiber treatment devicecomprising an ultrasound generator capable of converting electricalenergy to a mechanical vibration having a topically efficaciousfrequency and a comb device coupled to the ultrasound generator, thecomb device at least partially encapsulating the ultrasound generator.The comb device and the ultrasound generator define a treatment regionin which a fiber to be treated is placed in said treatment region, and,the topically efficacious frequency is communicated from the ultrasoundgenerator to the fiber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fiber treatment device inaccordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber treatment device ofFIG. 1 taken along line 2-2; and,

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fibertreatment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention is related to an ultrasonic device for thetreatment of fibers, such as hair. The purpose for utilization ofultrasonic energy is not limited to, but includes, providing a moreefficient manner in which to treat a fiber with a chemical agent.Increased efficiency in this manner reduces the amount of activechemical agent necessary, and can also reduce the required concentrationof active chemical agent required to provide a topically efficaciousresult. Additionally, the required treatment time can be reduced,thereby providing a time saving way to provide long-term fiber care at areduced cost.

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber treatment device in accordance with thepresent invention and is labeled generally by the numeral 10. The fibertreatment device 10 includes an ultrasound generator (or applicator) 12,comb device 14, optional at least one reservoir 16, optional reservoirdrive motor 18 and gear system 19, and optional converging device 17.Without attempting to be limiting, comb device 14 can have a pluralityof protuberances 11 that extend outwardly from comb device 14 in ageometry generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of comb device14.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, fiber treatment device 20 can be arranged toprovide a substantially angular relationship between ultrasoundgenerator 22 and comb device 24 with the remainder of fiber treatmentdevice 20. It is believed that an angular relationship betweenultrasound generator 22 and comb device 24 with the remainder of fibertreatment device 20 could provide an ergonomic benefit to a user. Thisergonomic benefit could be realized by allowing for an increased accessand an improved efficacious treatment of fibers present on a supportsurface that is practically and/or ergonomically difficult for a user toreach.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, ultrasound generator 12 is capable ofconverting an applied electrical power into a mechanical vibration. Asnon-limiting examples, the electrical power applied to ultrasoundgenerator 12 can be supplied from a conventional wall outlet or from aninternal, or external, rechargeable, or disposable, battery, or anyother power source, contained within fiber treatment device 10. Theapplied power could then be converted by a power supply to the desiredoscillatory frequency and voltage level. In a preferred embodiment, theconverted power is then applied across piezoelectric ceramic plates togenerate a pressure wave or a mechanical wave at the desired oscillatoryfrequency. Exemplary and non limiting frequencies providing topicallyefficacious treatments and developed by ultrasound generator 12preferably range from 15 KHz to 500 KHz, more preferably from 18 KHz to300 KHz, and most preferably from 20 KHz to 150 KHz.

[0019] Power for ultrasound generator 12 can be provided by eitherconventional commercial methods and converted to a necessary voltage bypower supply 15. Alternatively, batteries contained within fibertreatment device 10 can provide power for ultrasound generator 12.Internal batteries could enable fiber treatment device 10 to be placedwithin a recharging receptacle while not in use as would be known to oneof skill in the art. Power supplied by power supply 15 or internalbatteries could also be used to heat the fiber treatment device 10 if afiber treatment regimen so requires thermal energy to provide a moreefficacious fiber treatment.

[0020] Referring again to FIG. 1, fiber treatment device 10 generallycomprises a comb device 14. Comb device 14 can comprise a plurality ofprotuberances 11 or any other device for converging and/or collectingfibers into a region proximate to ultrasound generator 12. Comb device14 is preferably physically coupled to ultrasound generator 12. However,as would be known to one of skill in the art, it is possible to provideultrasound generator 12 and comb device 14 as separate componentswithout any physical attachment. However, if physical coupling orattachment is desired, it can be accomplished by providing directattachment of comb device 14 to ultrasound generator 12. In alternativeembodiments, such physical attachment can be accomplished by attachingcomb device 14 to an insulative housing encasing ultrasound generator12, or directly to fiber treatment device 10.

[0021] Comb device 14 should acoustically insulate ultrasound generator12 from direct physical contact with a surface supporting any fibers tobe treated. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed thatthe prevention of direct acoustic coupling of mechanical vibrationsproduced by ultrasound generator 12 to a fiber support surface couldprevent any subcutaneous damage to the fiber support surface. However,comb device 14 should also provide a region where ultrasound generator12 is capable of physically coupling with the fibers to be treated inorder to acoustically couple the mechanical vibrations produced byultrasound generator 12 to the fibers.

[0022] In one exemplary, but non-limiting embodiment, the prevention ofphysical coupling of the ultrasound generator 12 with a fiber supportsurface can be accomplished by acoustically insulating comb device 14from ultrasound generator 12. Acoustic insulation or acousticallyinsulated as used in the present invention means that comb device 14 isnot acoustically resonant with ultrasound generator 12. This means thatcomb device 14 remains stationary while ultrasound generator 12 isactive. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that amechanical gap between ultrasound generator 12 and comb device 14 canprovide sufficient acoustic insulation between ultrasound generator 12and the fiber support surface. It is known in the art that the acousticimpedance of air (the product of air density and air acoustic velocity)is negligible. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believedthat if comb device 14 is manufactured from an acoustically insulativematerial, even direct physical attachment of comb device 14 toultrasound generator 12 will provide comb device 14 with sufficientacoustically insulative properties due to the high impedance mismatchthat can effectively dampen an incident mechanical vibration at thejunction of the ultrasound generator 12 and comb device 14 materials.

[0023] Physical coupling and acoustic insulation can be accomplished bythe choice of construction and the method of physical attachment of combdevice 14 to ultrasound generator 12. Because comb device 14 ispreferably not acoustically coupled to ultrasound generator 12, thematerials selected to manufacture comb device 14 should preferably beinsulative in nature, such as plastic or wood. However, it would beknown to one of skill in the art that the comb device 14 can bemanufactured from metal and provide no acoustic coupling, for example,by providing an acoustic insulator between ultrasound generator 12 andcomb device 14. Additionally, polymeric materials can be impregnatedwith a metal, or metals, to provide an acoustically insulated combdevice 14 that provides an efficacious, ultra-sonic, fiber treatment. Ametal impregnated polymer can provide a more resilient structuraldevice, yet still provide the physical acoustic insulative abilityrequired.

[0024] It is also believed that comb device 14 could be manufacturedfrom a compliant material. The use of a compliant material for combdevice 14 could allow comb device 14 to maintain continuous contact withany irregular or curved fiber support surface. It is believed thatcontinuous contact with a fiber support surface can provide a moreefficacious treatment to fibers, or the regions of individual fibersthat are in close proximity to the supporting surface.

[0025] In another non-limiting embodiment, the comb device 14 could beonly partially in direct physical contact with ultrasound generator 12.Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that whenultrasound generator 12 is in a resonant vibratory mode, thedisplacement of vibrations will vary along the length of the axis ofvibration of ultrasound generator 12. As would be known to one of skillin the art, this vibratory displacement is generally at a minimum at thequarter wave line and generally maximum at the distal end or face ofultrasound generator 12. Therefore, it would be possible to have directphysical attachment of comb device 14 to ultrasound generator 12 in theregion of ultrasound generator 12 where the magnitude of displacement isminimal. Direct physical attachment of comb device 14 to the ultrasoundgenerator 12 in this manner could secure the comb head in a permanentposition. However, it is believed that the choice of materials formanufacturing comb device 14 could be limited to those materialsproducing a significant acoustic mismatch with ultrasound generator 12.

[0026] In a further exemplary, but non-limiting, embodiment, comb device14 could be in complete physical contact with ultrasound generator 12.However, the choice of the materials that can be used could be limitedin order to provide an acoustic mismatch. This acoustic mismatch couldbe necessary in order to provide incomplete acoustical coupling betweenthe ultrasound generator 12 and comb device 14. When a significantacoustic mismatch is present in dissimilar materials in direct contact,it is believed that the material used to manufacture comb device 14would need to be heat resistant. Without wishing to be bound by theory,it is believed that a significant amount of heat would be generated atthe interface between ultrasound generator 12 and comb device 14 whenultrasound generator 12 and comb device 14 are in direct physicalcontact.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, even though comb device 14 provides at leastpartial acoustical insulation from ultrasound generator 12, it ispreferred that at least a portion of ultrasound generator 12 be anacoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 to provide an acousticallycoupleable surface for the fibers to be treated. It is believed that anygeometry, including, but not limited to rectilinear, ovular, circular,and combinations thereof, can be used to provide a sufficientacoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 for ultrasound generator 12.However, it should be realized that the acoustically coupleable exposedsurface 13 should be of sufficient size to facilitate the treatment offibers. Surprisingly, it would found that a rectilinear geometry forultrasound generator 12 and acoustically coupleable exposed surface 13provided the most efficacious fiber treatment. Thus, a rectilinearprofile for acoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 of from about 10millimeters to at least about 150 millimeters in length, most preferably40 millimeters in length, and from at least about 3 millimeters to atleast about 10 millimeters in width would provide the most efficacioustreatment. Without being limited to theory, it is believed that thisrectilinear geometry provides the most efficacious result as a treatmentis directed to a relatively broad width of fibers with each use.

[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, comb device14 is also provided with a plurality of protuberances 11 to guide fibersin a generally orthogonal relationship toward the acousticallycoupleable exposed surface 13 of ultrasound generator 12. It is alsobelieved that protuberances 11 could increase both the coupling offibers located proximate to ultrasound generator 12 and acousticallycoupleable exposed surface 13 and the inter-fiber acoustic coupling.Preferably, protuberances 11 are not affected by, or acousticallycoupled to, ultrasound generator 12.

[0029] Preferably, protuberances 11 have a small cross-sectional area inrelation to the area of acoustically coupleable exposed surface 13. Itis believed that this facilitates increased fiber contact with theacoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 of the ultrasound generator12. It has been found that the thickness of protuberances 11 shouldpreferably be less than about 2 millimeters.

[0030] Preferably, protuberances 11 have a relative spacing from eachother that facilitates large quantities of fibers to pass proximate tothe acoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 of ultrasound generator12. However, the relative spacing of protuberances 11 should prevent theaccidental contact of body appendage tissue with the acousticallycoupleable exposed surface 13 of ultrasound generator 12. Preferablythis inter-protuberance spacing is less than about 8 millimeters and ispreferably at least about 5 millimeters. However, an inter-protuberancespacing of less than about 5 millimeters can still provide sufficientefficacious contact between the fibers and the acoustically coupleableexposed surface 13 of ultrasound generator 12.

[0031] Preferably protuberances 11 have an overall length that preventsaccidental contact of any portion of ultrasound generator 12 with afiber support surface. Thus, it is preferred that the overallprotuberance length range from at least about 5 millimeters to at leastabout 30 millimeters. However, one of skill in the art would realizethat a protuberance 12 length of less than about 5 millimeters or atleast about 30 millimeters could be used to provide an efficacioustreatment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, it is also believed that comb device 14 couldbe fashioned with a converging device 17 that efficaciously surroundsand completely collects and compresses fibers into a region proximate tothe acoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 of ultrasound generator12. It is believed that collecting and compressing fibers withconverging device 17 could increase acoustic coupling from theacoustically coupleable exposed surface 13 of ultrasound generator 12 tothe fibers.

[0033] Converging device 17 could also be designed to have areflectance, R, expressed as:$R = {\frac{Z_{2} - Z_{1}}{Z_{2} + Z_{1}}.}$

[0034] where, Z₁=the acoustic impedance of wet fiber, and, Z₂=theacoustic impedance of the reflector. Z₁ and Z₂ are defined by theequations:

Z₂=ρ₂c₂

[0035] and,

Z₁=ρ₁c₁

[0036] where, ρ₁=the density of wet fiber, ρ₂=the density of thereflector, c₁=the acoustic velocity in wet fiber, and, c₂=the acousticvelocity in the reflector. Acoustic velocity is the speed at which apressure wave propagates in the selected medium. Values for the acousticvelocity and density of exemplary fibers and other materials aretabulated below. However, the values of acoustic velocity and densityfor numerous other fibers and materials can be found in The Handbook ofChemistry and Physics, 78^(th) edition, Fundamental Physics ofUltrasound, by V. A Shutilov, Chemical and Physical Behavior of HumanHair, 3d ed., by Clarence R. Robbins, and IEEE Transactions on Sonicsand Ultrasonics, Vol. SU-32, No. 3 (1985), pages 381-394, all of whichare herein incorporated by reference. Material Density − ρ − (g/cm³)Velocity − c − (m/s) Air 1.161 × 10⁻³ 334 Water 0.998 1490 AluminumAlloy 2.7 6260 Human Hair Fiber 1.3 1717 Nylon Fiber 1.12 2600

[0037] Converging device 17 is preferably removeably and/or releasablyattached to the distal end of comb device 14 to form an open cavitybetween converging device 17 and the acoustically coupleable exposedsurface 13 of ultrasound generator 12. It is preferred that thematerials selected to construct the converging device 17 provide anoverall reflectance, R, so that:

|R|>0,

[0038] and more preferably the materials selected to construct theconverging device 17 provide an overall reflectance, R, so that:

|R|≧0.5.

[0039] Therefore, the inner surface, that is, the surface of convergingdevice 17 closest to ultrasound generator 12 and acoustically coupleableexposed surface 13, should be constructed of a material that effectivelyreflects acoustic waves generated by ultrasound generator 12. Exemplaryand non-limiting reflective materials include metals and porousmaterials, such as wood. Most preferably, converging device 17 isconstructed to have a thin metal sheet, film, or foil that has a regionof air behind and positioned away from ultrasound generator 12 so thatan acoustic vibration originating from ultrasound generator 12 will besignificantly reflected in an opposite direction from the incident wave.This is generally known in the art as an air-backed reflector. Withoutdesiring to be bound by theory, it is believed that such a reflector iseffective because air generally has significant contrasting acousticimpedance in contrast with any liquid or solid material. However, itwould be known to one of skill in the art that converging device 17 notprovide any reflectance.

[0040] It is also believed that converging device 17 should interlacewith protuberances 11. However, it would be known to one of skill in theart that converging device 17 could be provided for comb device 14 inany configuration. This could provide the benefit of minimizingunintended energy leakage beyond the geometry defined by comb device 14.Additionally, converging device 17 could also provide improved acousticcoupling between ultrasound generator 12 and the fibers by compactingthe fibers in a region proximate to ultrasound generator 12 andacoustically coupleable exposed surface 13. It would be known to one ofskill in the art to provide a geometry for converging device 17 in orderto interlace converging device 17 with protuberances 11.

[0041] As is also shown in FIG. 1, fiber treatment device 10 preferablyincludes a number of reservoirs 16, shown as cartridges. One advantageof a multiple reservoir dispensing system is that materials that wouldbe incompatible for storage together may be stored in separatereservoirs and then dispensed together for use. Because the materialsare mixed at the point of use as needed, there is better control overthe amount of product mixed, resulting in minimal or no wasted product.

[0042] Any suitable reservoir 16 may be utilized in the presentinvention. It should be understood that the reservoir utilized may befully or partially internal to the fiber treatment device 10, or fullyor partially external to the fiber treatment device 10, and may or maynot be removable from the fiber treatment device 10. Additionally, thereservoir 16 utilized may be permanent or disposable to the fibertreatment device 10. Non-limiting examples of suitable reservoirs 16include positive displacement type reservoirs, such as a cartridge, andpump-evacuated type reservoirs, such as sachets, bladders, blisters, andcombinations thereof. It is also believed that pre-loaded cartridgereservoirs could be used as single use disposable cartridges, multipleuse disposable cartridges, or refillable cartridges, and that emptycartridges may be available for loading with suitable materials by theend user.

[0043] In the practice of the present invention, the reservoir 16 may beadapted for dispensing equal or different amounts of material. In anyregard, it is preferred that the dispensing system be utilized for thedelivery of precise, controlled, or efficacious amounts of treatmentmaterials. It is also preferred that one or more of the reservoirs 16 ofthe present invention be loaded with a fiber treatment material in asequential fashion. However, as it would be known to one of skill in theart, that sequential dispensing may also be accomplished by sequentiallydispensing from different reservoirs 16 or combinations of reservoirs16. Further, it should also be understood that a number of repeatablesequences could also be dispensed from either one reservoir 16 or acombination of reservoirs 16.

[0044] Reservoirs 16 are placed within the reservoir holder with one ormore of the reservoirs 16 in liquid communication with the comb device14. In an exemplary embodiment, a dispensing actuator actuates motor 18,which through gears 19, is adapted to dispense material from reservoir16 through dispensing passageways to comb device 14. Liquidcommunication of material from reservoir 16 to comb device 14 can beaccomplished by use of a plurality of dispensing apertures. The releasedmaterial can be dispensed to the fiber being treated either from anaperture disposed on comb device 14 or from an aperture located onprotuberance 11. Thus, incompatible chemistries, or chemistries that,after mixing, have a finite shelf life are mixed and/or dispensed at thepoint of application directly to the fibers. Further, the chemistriescould be further mixed at the point of application by the presence ofthe mechanical, ultrasonic vibrations produced by ultrasound generator12.

[0045] A method of use for a fiber treatment device commensurate withthe scope of the present invention provides for the treatment of fibers,particularly hair. First, it is preferred that a user pre-wets the hairfibers to be ultrasonically treated. Non-limiting examples forpre-wetting hair include rinsing with water and/or cleaning the hairfibers with a cleaner, such as shampoo, or a cleaner/conditioner, suchas PertPlus™, manufactured by The Procter & Gamble Company. Next, thetreatment product, or active compound, to be applied to the hair fibersis applied in a topically efficacious amount to produce the resultsdesired for the hair fiber being treated. Preferably, the treatmentproduct is dispensed directly from the fiber treatment device when thefiber treatment device is equipped with reservoirs containing thetreatment product. However, if the fiber treatment device is not soequipped, the treatment product can be manually applied to the hairfibers through conventional methodologies.

[0046] Finally, the operationally energized fiber treatment device isplaced in contact with the treated hair fibers preferably using a steadyand continuous motion from the root end of the hair fiber to the tip endof the hair fiber. Preferably, this motion is repeated until all desiredhair fibers are efficaciously treated. Of course, the total timerequired to provide such a topically efficacious treatment will dependupon the length and thickness of the hair fibers being treated and thedesired resultant color intensity. However, it has been found that whencoloring hair with a visible root line or when coloring patched grayhair, it may be preferable to apply the use of the ultrasonic fibertreatment device for longer time periods than would normally be requiredfor hair fibers not exhibiting these characteristics.

[0047] It is also envisaged that the exemplary procedure described supracan also be used for the topically efficacious treatment of pet hairfibers and other keratinous and non-keratinous fibers. Therefore, it isintended that fabric and other fibers can be treated using theultrasonic fiber treatment device and an active compound as discussedabove.

EXAMPLES

[0048] Colorimetry can provide a quantitative evaluation of the efficacyof color uptake in a fiber dyeing process. Further, it is believed thatcolorimetry data can also correlate strongly with data generated usingother fiber color uptake assessment methods.

[0049] Measurement of Color Uptake

[0050] The level of color uptake to subject hair switches was determinedby comparative colorimetric measurements of the change color of treatedvirgin Yak and Human mid-brown hair substrates. Such hair is availablefrom Hugo Royer International Ltd., Berkshire, England. The averageswitch weight was about 1.5 grams. Colorimetric measurements were madewith a hand-held calorimeter manufactured by the Minolta Corporation.The comparative change in color was reported as ΔE in color space usingL.a.b. coordinates.

[0051] Test Method

[0052] Baseline L.a.b. values, based on the CIE/L.a.b. system, of virginYak or Human mid-brown hair switches were determined by colorimetry. Thevirgin Yak hair utilized had an average L=86.2, a=1, and b=13.3. Thevirgin Human mid-brown hair analyzed had an average L=23.25, a=7, andb=7.55. The initial L.a.b. value and mass of each switch was recorded.

[0053] Each switch was saturated with de-ionized water and allowed toair dry to a demonstrated mass increase of 70 percent of the dry switchweight. Either Clairol® Natural Instincts® 22, Clairol® Nice 'n Easy®122, or Clairol® Herbal Essences® 48 (all manufactured by The Procter &Gamble® Company) was applied to each switch in a ratio of 2:1 wt/wtproduct to hair. Each switch was then placed in contact with theoperationally energized fiber treatment device, described supra, using asteady and continuous motion from the root end of the fiber to the tipend of the fiber for five minutes. The fiber treatment device operatedwith an output of 20 to 30 W at 25° C., and an acoustic frequency of 40kHz.

[0054] After treatment, each switch was rinsed with de-ionized water forone minute, and shampoo for one minute (e.g., Healthy*Shine® byClairol®, manufactured by The Procter & Gamble® Company) at a ratio of0.5:1 wt/wt shampoo to hair. Each switch was air-dried and a finalcolorimetric measurement made and recorded.

[0055] Control Samples

[0056] Ten replicate samples of Yak and Human mid-brown hair weretreated as described supra, without ultrasonic treatment. Five controlsamples remained in contact with the applied product for five minutes.Five additional control samples remained in contact with the appliedproduct for 30 minutes. Each control sample was then air-dried. Finalmass and L.a.b. colorimetric measurements were then made and allmeasurements recorded.

[0057] Calculation

[0058] The calculated value of the representative color change in L.a.b.coordinates was presented as ΔE. ΔE represents the difference betweenthe initial and final colorimetric Lab value. In other words:

ΔE={square root}{square root over ((L _(end) −L _(start))²+(a _(end) −a_(start))²+(b _(end) −b _(start))²)}.

[0059] Results of the average ΔE values for the representative samplesof Yak and Human hair are detailed in Tables 1 and 2. TABLE 1 Comparisonof Color Uptake for Yak Hair Using 40 kHz Ultrasound @ 20-30 W @ 25° C.Control (5 min.) Treated (5 min.) Control Treatment Used ΔE ΔE (30 min.)ΔE Natural Instincts 22 46.45 66.65 66.70 Nice'n Easy 122 65.76 72.4772.59 Herbal Essences 48 55.17 69.43 68.17

[0060] TABLE 2 Comparison of Color Uptake for Human mid-Brown Hair Using40 kHz Ultrasound @ 20-30 W @ 25° C. Control (5 min.) Treated (5 min.)Control Treatment Used ΔE ΔE (30 min.) ΔE Natural Instincts 22 4.15 7.126.99 Nice'n Easy 122 9.45 10.25 10.59 Herbal Essences 48 8.6 14.69 13.88

[0061] Without desiring to be bound by theory, it is believed that aunit change in ΔE represents a just perceptible difference in color toan ordinary observer. Thus, a large change in ΔE represents asignificant color change. From the data represented in Tables 1 and 2,it is believed that hair color uptake using a five-minute ultrasonictreatment process using the present invention could be comparable to aconventional 30-minute color uptake process without any ultrasonicintervention.

[0062] The foregoing examples and descriptions of the preferredembodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations arepossible and contemplated in light of the above teachings. While anumber of preferred and alternate embodiments, systems, configurations,methods, and potential applications have been described, it should beunderstood that many variations and alternatives could be utilizedwithout departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it isintended that such modifications fall within the scope of the inventionas defined by the claims appended hereto.

What we claim is:
 1. A comb assembly for fibers comprising: anapplicator; and, an insulator; wherein said applicator is capable ofcoupling a topically efficacious frequency to said fibers when saidfibers are in communication with said applicator; and, wherein saidinsulator prevents acoustic coupling of said topically efficaciousfrequency to a surface supporting said fibers.
 2. The comb assembly ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one protuberance disposed upon saidinsulator, wherein said at least one protuberance prevents acousticcoupling of said topically efficacious frequency to a surface supportingsaid fibers.
 3. The fiber treatment device of claim 1 furthercomprising: at least one material reservoir for supplying at least onematerial wherein said at least one material reservoir is in fluidcommunication with said applicator.
 4. A fiber treatment devicecomprising: a housing; at least one ultrasonic generator fixably mountedto said housing; at least one comb device coupled to said housing andcooperatively associated with said ultrasonic generator for contactingengagement with at least one surface of said ultrasonic generator;wherein at least one fiber is positioned proximate to said ultrasonicgenerator when said ultrasonic generator is energized to a topicallyefficacious frequency; and, wherein at least one product is dispensed tosaid at least one fiber and said topically efficacious frequencyefficaciously deposits said at least one product to said at least onefiber.
 5. The fiber treatment device of claim 4 further comprising: atleast one material reservoir for supplying said at least one productwherein said at least one material reservoir is in fluid communicationwith said applicator.
 6. The fiber treatment device of claim 4 whereinsaid comb device is removeably coupled to said housing.
 7. A fibertreatment device comprising: an ultrasound generator capable ofconverting electrical energy to a mechanical vibration having atopically efficacious frequency; a comb device coupled to saidultrasound generator, said comb device at least partially encapsulatingsaid ultrasound generator; wherein said comb device and said ultrasoundgenerator define a treatment region; wherein a fiber to be treated isplaced in said treatment region; and, wherein said topically efficaciousfrequency is communicated from said ultrasound generator to said fiber.8. The fiber treatment device of claim 7 wherein said topicallyefficacious frequency is from about 15 KHz to about 500 KHz.
 9. Thefiber treatment device of claim 8 wherein said topically efficaciousfrequency is from about 20 KHz to about 150 KHz.
 10. The fiber treatmentdevice of claim 7 wherein said comb device is acoustically insulatedfrom said ultrasound generator.
 11. The fiber treatment device of claim7 wherein said comb device comprises an acoustically insulativematerial.
 12. The fiber treatment device of claim 7 wherein saidacoustically insulative material is compliant.
 13. The fiber treatmentdevice of claim 7 further comprising: at least one material reservoirfor supplying at least one material; and, wherein said at least onematerial reservoir is in liquid communication with said comb device. 14.The fiber treatment device of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of atleast one material reservoir is removeably contained within said fibertreatment device.
 15. The fiber treatment device of claim 7 wherein saidcomb device is removeably coupled to said ultrasound generator.
 16. Thefiber treatment device of claim 7 wherein said fiber treatment deviceefficaciously heats fibers treated thereby.
 17. The fiber treatmentdevice of claim 7 wherein said comb device has a plurality ofprotuberances disposed thereon.
 18. The fiber treatment device of claim17 wherein said protuberances have a variable spacing from each other.19. The fiber treatment device of claim 7 wherein said comb devicefurther comprises a fiber converging device for converging said fibersto a region proximate to said ultrasound generator.
 20. The fibertreatment device of claim 19 wherein said fiber converging device is areflector with a reflectance, R; wherein said reflectance is expressedas: |R|>0; wherein ${R = \frac{Z_{2} - Z_{1}}{Z_{2} + Z_{1}}};$

wherein Z₁=acoustic impedance of wet fiber; and, Z₂=acoustic impedanceof said reflector; wherein Z2=ρ₂c₂; and, Z₁=ρ₁c₁; and, whereinρ₁=density of wet fiber; ρ₂=the density of said reflector; c₁=theacoustic velocity in wet fiber; and, c₂=the acoustic velocity in saidreflector.